In a by now familiar pattern, Syrian authorities used tanks and snipers to attack civilians. We believe that the crimes committed in Syria constitute crimes against humanity.

I just learned that the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Syria later today and I urge you to sign our online petition to call on Brazil, India and South Africa to end their opposition to a Security Council resolution condemning the grave human rights violations.

The time for inaction is over and members of the Security Council have to fulfill their responsibility to act by referring the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court and imposing an arms embargo.

World Leaders Call For Accountability
I am tracking responses by world leaders to the escalating violence in Syria. What follows is a short sample, in case I missed anything, just let me know via Twitter.

The Secretary-General reminds the Syrian authorities that they are accountable under international human rights law for all acts of violence perpetrated by them against the civilian populationUN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon

I am appalled by the Syrian government’s use of violence and brutality against its own people. The reports out of Hama are horrifying and demonstrate the true character of the Syrian regime. Once again, President Assad has shown that he is completely incapable and unwilling to respond to the legitimate grievances of the Syrian people. His use of torture, corruption and terror puts him on the wrong side of history and his peopleUS President Barack Obama

Syrian political, military and security leaders must know, now more than ever, that they will have to answer for their deeds. The continuing of the repression and atrocities against civilians is particularly unacceptable on the eve of the month of Ramadan and can only lead to more instability and violence across the countryFrench Foreign Ministry statement

While Turkey was expecting (Syria) to work for a peaceful atmosphere during the holy month of Ramadan, it is deeply saddened and disappointed together with the entire Islamic world by the current developments on the eve of holy month of RamadanTurkish Foreign Ministry statement

South Africa, Brazil, India
No Comment

The UN Security Council is expected to meet later today. Please take urgent action now to end the shameful silence by South Africa, Brazil and India.

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About Christoph Koettl

Christoph Koettl is the Emergency Response Manager at Amnesty International USA and works on urgent human rights situations such as armed conflicts. In his work he focuses on exploring the intersection of technology and human rights, specializing in utilizing satellite imagery or citizen video for human rights research and advocacy. He previously worked and studied in Austria, the Netherlands and Italy and holds an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His expertise is in International Humanitarian Law, conflict analysis, crisis mapping, video validation and social media forensics and he is a regular speaker on technology and human rights. He has testified on war crimes in Sri Lanka before the United States Congress and his work is covered regularly by numerous national and international media, including Associated Press, BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera and Reuters.View all postsRSS Feed@ckoettl on Twitter

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2 thoughts on “Will UN Finally Act On Syria Atrocities?”

Could Amnesty International look into Canada's role in Syria? No one seems to mention Canada is the 3rd largest direct foreign investor. We have Suncor operating there. Please look into this and maybe set up a petition to withdraw our involvement with such regime.

Could Amnesty International look into Canada’s role in Syria? No one seems to mention Canada is the 3rd largest direct foreign investor. We have Suncor operating there. Please look into this and maybe set up a petition to withdraw our involvement with such regime.